My Bratty Wife
Chapter 161 - Hundred And Sixty One

Chapter 161: Chapter Hundred And Sixty One

Knock...

Knock..

Knock.

A sharp, insistent knocking echoed through the small room. "I’m coming," Doris called out, her voice slightly muffled.

She hurried to the door, a mix of apprehension and anticipation swirling within her. When she opened it, her breath caught in her throat. Standing before her was Suzy, her face pale but resolute.

"Milady," Doris breathed, a mixture of shock and fear and a hint of relief in her eyes.

Suzy stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the room. She walked over to the bed and sat down heavily, her eyes falling on a plate on the table. It was clear that Doris had just finished a meal. Suzy looked at Doris, her expression serious. "Let me get straight to the point," she said, her voice low. "What did you do to your lady?"

Doris flinched, her eyes darting away. A single word escaped her lips: "You... remembered."

Suzy’s gaze hardened. "What did you do to Cassandra?" she repeated, her voice firmer this time.

Doris’s eyes filled with tears, her lower lip trembling. "I... I killed my lady, milady," she confessed, the words choked with emotion.

Suzy’s breath hitched. "You... killed her." she whispered, the words barely audible. "And... were you the one poisoning me?"

Doris nodded slowly, tears streaming down her face. "Yes," she whispered, her voice filled with shame.

Suzy’s eyes flashed with anger. "Was it the same person who told you to kill Cassandra who told you to poison me?"

Doris nodded again. "Yes," she confirmed, her voice trembling. "I was paid to kill my lady."

Suzy’s anger intensified. "How much was it worth," she asked, her voice laced with bitterness, "to kill your lady? How much could they possibly pay you to betray someone you served and cared for?"

Doris’s voice rose in desperation. "I needed the money!" she exclaimed, her voice cracking. "Because of how the family hates Lady Cassandra, they don’t... they don’t regard me. They don’t pay me a quarter of what they pay the maids who serve Lady Isabella. I was the only maid serving her, and they still treated me that way! Sometimes, they didn’t even pay me at all!" Her voice broke, and she sobbed openly.

Suzy was silent for a moment, absorbing Doris’s words. The desperation in her voice was palpable but it wasn’t enough excuse.

Doris continued, her voice filled with remorse. "But... but when he found out she was still alive, just... not remembering anything... he threatened to kill me for not finishing the job, he gave me these leaves," she said, gesturing towards a small pouch on the table. "He told me to make tea with them. He assured me it wouldn’t kill you, milady. He said it would only make you... forget."

Suzy’s eyes narrowed. "Who is he?" she demanded.

Just as Doris was about to reveal more information, she clutched at her stomach, a look of intense pain contorting her face. She gasped, clutching her abdomen harder. Her face shrouded in agony, and she began to vomit blood, splattering the floor, her body convulsing violently. Dread washed over Suzy as she realized what had happened. Doris had been poisoned. The food she had just eaten...

She rushed to Doris’s side, gathering her into her arms. "Doris! Doris, look at me! Don’t... close your eyes," she pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes.

Doris managed a weak smile, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "I’m... I’m paying for my sins, milady," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Is anyone outside?!" Suzy shouted, her voice laced with panic. "Call Dr. Abernathy! Immediately!" The guard stationed outside Doris’s room rushed to obey.

Suzy turned her attention back to Doris, her heart breaking. She cradled her in her arms, her own hands and dress now stained with blood. "Doris, please... hold on," she begged, her voice choked with sobs.

Doris raised a trembling hand to Suzy’s cheek, gently wiping away a tear. "Don’t cry, milady Suzy," she whispered, her eyes filled with regret. "I’m being punished... for what I did to my lady."

Suzy sobbed quietly, her tears falling onto Doris’s blood-soaked hand. "You were... you were like a sister to me, Doris," she whispered. "You understood me when no one else did."

Doris spoke, how voice low. "You... you protected me too. I... I don’t deserve your forgiveness... or Lady Cassandra’s."

Doris coughed, a harsh, bloody sound. "The person... who instructed me," she gasped, her voice growing weaker, "he’s a... a rich lord. I didn’t see his face... but he wears a ring... the same ring... I’ve seen on His Grace’s finger... He must be... related to him... I think Lady Cassandra knows something about him that’s why he wanted her dead."

Doris coughed again, a gurgling sound this time. "Please... forgive me," she pleaded, her eyes fluttering closed.

Suzy held her tighter, her tears falling freely now. "Hold on, Doris! The doctor is coming! Just... just a little longer," she begged, her voice filled with desperation.

Doris’s eyes flickered open one last time. A faint smile touched her lips. "You were... kind to me," she whispered, her voice fading. "Thank you... for everything."

Doris coughed again, her eyes fluttering closed. "Please... forgive me," she whispered, her voice fading into silence. Her hand fell limp in Suzy’s.

Suzy, her face streaked with tears and blood, held Doris close, her body shaking with grief. "Doris?" she whispered, her voice choked with sobs. "Doris, no... Don’t leave me." But Doris was gone.

She cradled Doris’s lifeless body in her arms, her heart shattered. A piercing scream tore through the air, raw and filled with anguish. "Doris! Come back, please!"

Suzy cried, her voice cracking with grief. "I promise... I’m not angry anymore! I forgive you! Please... please come back!" She clung to Doris’s lifeless body, her tears falling onto her friend’s blood-soaked dress. The reality of Doris’s death, the finality of it, was a crushing blow. The words of forgiveness, spoken too late, echoed in the silent room, a testament to Suzy’s grief.

Minutes ticked by, each one heavy with sorrow. The door to the room burst open, and Ryan rushed in, followed closely by Dr. Abernathy. Ryan’s face was filled with worry as he took in the scene before him. He gently pulled Suzy away from Doris, his arms wrapping around her trembling body.

"Cassandra," he murmured softly, his voice filled with concern. "Cassandra, come away."

Suzy struggled against his hold, her cries intensifying. "Doris! No! She can’t... she can’t be gone!" She reached out towards Doris, her fingers brushing against her cold hand. "Doris, please... I forgive you!"

Dr. Abernathy knelt beside Doris, his expression grave. He examined her quickly, his fingers checking her pulse. He then carefully inspected the remnants of the meal Doris had eaten, his brow furrowing. He turned to Ryan, his voice grim. "She’s been poisoned," he confirmed, his words hanging heavy in the air.

Ryan’s face paled. He held Suzy tighter, his own heart aching. He knew how close Suzy and Doris had been. This loss would be devastating for her.

Suzy, still struggling in Ryan’s embrace, her voice raw with grief. "Doris! Please come back!" she screamed, her cries echoing through the room. "I forgive you!"

She buried her face in Ryan’s shoulder, her body shaking with uncontrollable sobs. The weight of the betrayal, the pain of losing her friend ... it was all too much to bear.

Ryan held her close, his own eyes filled with sadness. He knew there were no words that could ease her pain. He simply held her, offering comfort and support in the face of her overwhelming grief. He felt her body convulse with each sob, her pain a tangible thing. He stroked her hair gently, whispering soothing words, even though he knew they were inadequate.

The emotional strain, combined with the shock of the situation, took its toll on Suzy. As she wept in Ryan’s arms, her body suddenly went limp. She fainted, collapsing against him.